Individual Consultancy (Maldivian National) for Technical Officer for Expanded Programme Immunization (EPI)

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

This is a NO-1 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-1 contracts.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

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TOR/2020/06

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Background & Purpose:

Maldives has made significant progress in reducing child and infant mortality in recent decades, achieving a low of under-5 mortality rate of 10 per 1000 live births and an infant mortality rate of 8 per 1000 live birth. Child immunization rates also reached very high coverage in recent decades as a result of the expansion of public health services at the island and community levels, and delivery of primary health care services by local health workers. However, the most recent Demographic Health Survey (2016- 2017) indicated a worrying drop in the previously high immunization rate, dropping from 95% in 2009 to 77% coverage for all essential vaccines in 2016 (DHS 2016-17). The reasons behind this are complex.

A strong and effective EPI program requires a robust routine immunization system with regular surveillance, a strong vaccine supply chain, adequate financial resources, and skilled technical staff at both national and sub-national levels. Recent effective vaccine management (EVM) assessment findings reveal the need to strengthen the overall system in order to effectively reach all children and young people. Hence, the national Immunization systems can be further strengthened to fully align with the latest global and regional requirements and standards for safe and effective vaccine management and supply chains. In addition, new vaccines such as Pentavalent and HPV have recently been introduced to the national vaccine schedule, thereby adding to the already stretched public health system. A 2019 assessment of the EPI programme has also identified key recommendations for strengthening the Maldives EPI programme.

To support the Expanded Programme for Immunization (EPI) in reaching every child and young person across the Maldives, UNICEF in support of the Health Protection Agency (HPA) is seeking a national technical EPI officer to work directly with the immunization team within HPA to implement the EVM and EPI review recommendations and strengthen the national immunization systems.

Purpose:

The overarching purpose of this assignment is to support the EPI programme within the Health Protection Agency (HPA) strengthening the national immunization programme and leave no child and young person behind by. The main objective is to strengthen the EPI systems, improve coverage with the aim of reaching 100 %, improve monitoring and evaluation systems, and bring the Maldives EPI programme closer to global standards.

Specific objectives and deliverables are:

• Support the Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI) in all functions related to vaccines, and assist the smooth function of immunization programmes, including planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Ensure that the vaccine management progressively is in line with standards and processes recommended by the Effective Vaccine Management (EVM) and EPI review recommendations
• Support the EPI programme to improve the immunization coverage and sustain it

Duty station: The consultant will be based in the Health Protection Agency within the Maldives Ministry of Health, with travel to selected islands for consultations on a needs-basis.

Supervision and Guidance: The consultant will be supervised by Director of HPA. The UNICEF Maldives Health Programme Specialist for Health will provide support and co-supervision throughout the assignment.

Major tasks of the Assignment:

In line with the objectives identified above, below are the specific deliverables and tasks the consultant is expected to complete within the assignment period:

1. Support to effectively coordinate and monitor the routine EPI program, in particular, to implement the recommendations from EPI review
2. Support to coordinate immunization-related awareness activities at national level. Provide support to vaccination centres, immunization managers on immunization and vaccine related matters.
3. In light of the recent drop in immunization coverage, with consultation with stakeholders, and with guidance from EPI manager, develop recommendations / plan to improve immunization coverage
4. Assemble and provide updated data and information on national immunization programme. Support in monitoring and supervision of vaccination centres
5. Support the development of a data-base / software or tool to track vaccination records and assist in adopting it at all health facilities and vaccination centers
6. Prepare national annual vaccine forecasts, and supply logistics requirements
7. Organize and conduct vaccine related trainings. Adapt or develop training materials and resources on immunization
8. Assist in emergency preparedness and outbreak response activities carried out by the EPI programme. Assist in the macro and micro-plan preparation for Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs)Â
9. Manage funds provided by UNICEF to support roll-out of immunization activities and training. Ensure timely implementation, documentation and reporting. Attends technical cooperation meetings and undertakes follow-up action and coordination related to programme implementation and monitoring. Organize and participate in coordination and other meetings relating to the EPI programme, record points of actions and documentations
10. Develop reports, briefs, working papers, presentations, advocacy notes, press release, and IEC materials related to EPI, and support EPI program in similar matters

Estimated duration of contract and deadline for submission of end-product: 9 months, starting from July 2020, with possibility of extension till 12 months.

Travel: Travel to islands for monitoring on a needs-basis.

Deliverables:

1. Inception report (#1) with: An approved work plan for the duration of the consultant
2. Monthly Progress report (from 2nd months to 6th month), with: Update of activities and sample of all products developed
3. Monthly Progress report (from 2nd months to 6th month), with: Update of activities and sample of all products developed

UNICEF will only make milestone payments based on achievement of specific deliverables as listed. All payments will be subjected to acceptance of deliverable by UNICEF. Also note that UNICEF does not make advance payment and UNICEF is exempted from paying VAT and any other forms of taxes. Locals will be paid in local currency. UNICEF would cover any arising travel costs as per agreed schedules with the MoH/HPA.

Qualifications or specialized knowledge and/or experience required

• University degree in Medicine, Public Health, or related field. A diploma in related area with relevant experience can be considered in lieu of the degree
• Training in vaccine management will be an advantage
• Ability to work with excel and other relevant software and programmes
• Experience working with the EPI programme or similar public health programme is desired. Work experience in the health sector or similar field will be an asset
• Surveillance and DHIS2 working knowledge will be an asset
• Demonstrated professional communication skills in Dhivehi and English (written and verbal).
• Ability to organize, plan and coordinate activities within an agreed timeframe in a pro-active manner
• Proven ability to work in teams as well as independent working

For every Child, you demonstrate¦

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at:

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

EXTENDED Deadline for Applications: 15th August 2020, 06:00 pm (Maldives time)

Application Link:

https://secure.dc7.pageuppeople.com/apply/671/gateway/Default.aspx?c=apply&sJobIDs=530190&SourceTypeID=796&sLanguage=en-us

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Consultants and Individual contractors are responsible for paying any taxes derived from the earnings received from UNICEF.